Friday, August 13, 2010

Some 29 Filipino seafarers onboard a Norwegian-flagged ship survived a hostage attack by Somali pirates after it was foiled by European Union forces patrolling the dangerous Gulf of Aden off Somali waters.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipino sailors could have been among the 81 other Filipino seamen being held hostage in Somalia if not for the “timely action” of the European Union Naval Force (EU NavFor).

In a letter by manning agency ODFJELL Philippines Inc. to the DFA, chemical tanker MT Bow Saga was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden in the early morning of Aug. 3, when it was proceeding westward in

the International Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden.

Seven armed brigands using a small boat fired shots at the vessel.

The ship’s crew adopted security measures and conducted various counter actions, including evasive maneuvering and water deployment to prevent boarding.

The ship’s captain sent out a distress call and an EU NavFor unit close by responded.... MORE